Next European Commission needs to present an ambitious and cross-sectoral European Water Strategy, cities and regions say
Against the recurring floods, droughts, pollution and other water-related threats, EU regions and cities are urging the European Commission to make water a strategic priority for its upcoming mandate 2024-2029, as well as to appoint an EU Commissioner in charge of the water portfolio. Local and regional leaders warn that prolonged and widespread mismanagement of water resources and worsening climate change are impacting water availability for drinking, sanitation and agriculture and threatening the EU's food security, energy production and industry.
Water is a fundamental resource for life and all economic activities. However, more than a quarter of the EU territory is currently under drought warning. Water scarcity is already forcing many local and regional authorities to declare drought emergencies, fuelling tensions in local communities and cross-border regions.
With two opinions adopted at the 20 June plenary session, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is urging the next European Commission to present an ambitious European Water Strategy that restores the water cycle and integrates water-related objectives into all European sectoral policies, with a strong emphasis on multilevel water governance and cross-border cooperation especially in river basins. An EU Commissioner in charge of the water portfolio should oversee the cross-sectoral strategy, which should also provide more financial support to sub-national governments and water-related actors with improved coordination of EU funds and other funding instruments.
Pointing out that the future of agriculture and food security largely depends on water availability, regions and cities stress the need to reinforce water-sustainable practices in the Common Agricultural Policy. Its budget should continue to allocate funds for water infrastructure and management and support a transition to more water-efficient farming techniques. This means prioritising nature-based solutions, such as restoring natural floodplains, and supporting innovative and sustainable farming practices that include crop rotation, soil protection and precision irrigation.
The CoR also recommends adopting a water efficiency principle to promote effective water reuse and savings for agricultural, industrial and domestic purposes, and tackling the pollution at source by implementing the 'polluter pays' principle effectively. It further underlines the importance of soil health for water retention and filtration and considers that this should be a key pillar of the Soil Monitoring Law.
Quotes:
André Viola (FR/PES), Member of Departmental Council of Aude and rapporteur of the opinion on Towards a resilient water management to fight climate crisis within an EU Blue Deal: "Climate change is worsening floods and droughts and is reducing water quality, putting people's health and living environment increasingly at risk. Protecting human lives from major impacts requires immediate and resolute action. To ensure our future well-being, all level of governments need to better coordinate across sectors. Local land regional leaders can lead this process by putting into place concrete resilient solutions and inspire others."
Karl Vanlouwe (BE/EA), Member of Flemish Parliament and rapporteur of the opinion on Creating an EU Blue Deal from an agriculture and rural development perspective across EU regions: "Minister Zuhal Demir's Flemish Blue Deal has been praised internationally by experts and policymakers. It is therefore time to share and implement the best practices from Flanders, but also from across the EU, by investing in innovation and cooperation across national borders and regions."
Taleb Abderrahmane El Mahjoub, Mayor of Tevragh Zeina (Mauritania), and rapporteur for the ARLEM report on Building water resilience: the role of Mediterranean cities and regions: "Making water a top priority is vital in the Mediterranean, one of the most water stressed areas in the world. Local authorities actively contribute to building water resilience, but they need to be involved in the decisions and get support from the national governments and other sources. Mediterranean cities have experience and traditional practices that they can share with their counterparts."
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The CoR has joined forces with the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee in calling for an ambitious EU Blue Deal. This initiative aims to pave Europe's way to water resilience and to safeguard the availability and quality of water for our present and future generations. In an open letter sent to the European Commission executive vice-president Maroš Šefčovič, the three institutions shared their concerns regarding the postponement of the Water Resilience Initiative in March 2024.
The CoR is also working on water issues with its Mediterranean neighbours, in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM). ARLEM is currently preparing a report on the role of Mediterranean cities and regions in building water resilience. Rapporteur Taleb Abderrahmane El Mahjoub, Mayor of Tevragh Zeina (Mauritania), participated in the debate at the plenary session and has worked closely with the CoR rapporteur André Viola. The ARLEM report will be adopted at the meeting of the ARLEM Commission for Sustainable Development on 2 July in Carcassonne, France.
Factsheet: EU Blue Deal: local approaches to water resilience
Contact:
Lauri Ouvinen
Tel. +32 473 536 887
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